Schlotzsky's CEO: Restaurants must 'lean in hard on business partners'

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Schlotzsky's CEO Beto Guajardo is helping franchisees in four main areas: communications, financial support, operations and promotions.

17 vendors offering freebies to help restaurants live another day

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

As restaurants struggle to keep their businesses open amid COVID-19, vendors are proving that they are ready to help.

8 franchisors waiving royalty fees

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburger, Barberitos, Dickey's Barbecue Pit, Firehouse Subs, Gyroville, Muscle Maker Grill, Qdoba and Schlotzsky's are cutting…

Wow Bao wants to be your next revenue stream

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

The Chicago-based chain is giving restaurant brands all over the U.S. access to another revenue stream by allowing them to serve a limited menu of its Bao…

Boloco CEO: 'It was a miraculous day'

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

COVID-19 is taking its toll on businesses across the U.S., and Boloco CEO John Pepper wasn't going down without a fight.

Is the government's boost enough to save the restaurant industry?

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Leaders of Firehouse Subs, Boloco and the National Restaurant Association weigh in on if the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act goes far enough…

How Cousins Subs is delaying layoffs as long as possible

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Like many restaurant concepts trying to survive COVID-19, sales are down at Cousins Subs, a Wisconsin-based chain with more than 100 locations. CEO Christine…

Balance Grille, Mooyah helping industry navigate COVID-19 crisis

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

As the restaurant industry adjusts to the crisis that is COVID-19, leaders of two fast casual brands, Balance Grill and Mooyah, are doing their best to make…

Restaurants offering creative promos to drive traffic during social distancing

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Whether its slashing delivery fees, offering funny promotions or expanding services to include grocery delivery, fast casual brands are finding ways to survive…

Smashburger, AMC Theatres execs among leaders weighing in on COVID-19, shrinking kitchens

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Leaders from AMC Theaters, Wing Zone, Smashburger, Four Foods Group and Middleby discuss how they are changing their kitchen designs to stay profitable, while…

Will US government grant restaurants' request for $145 billion recovery fund?

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

March 18, 2020

Predicting that COVID-19 — along with the social distancing measures put in place to contain the outbreak — would result in a loss of $225 billion in…

Pure Green still going strong amid corornavirus shutdowns

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Pure Green, a five-unit chain based in New York City, has seen a spike in sales of cold-pressed juices and immunity shots, which CEO Ross Franklin believes…

Restaurants focused on delivery, to-go during Coronavirus pandemic

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Although Creator, a burger joint in San Francisco that doesn't need humans to cook its burgers, the restaurant has gone a step further to protect guests and…

Restaurant industry providing economic relief in face of coronovirus

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

While the restaurant industry does its best to serve customers while also protecting them as well as their employees, several companies are going a step…

RFIS 2020 Sponsor Preview: Attentive

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

Attentive is a personalized mobile messaging platform for innovative businesses that can quickly become a Top 3 revenue channel.

Starbucks on mission to create sustainable cup

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

March 11, 2020

Starbucks is testing a recyclable and compostable hot cup solution as part of the NextGen Cup Challenge, a program supported by McDonald's and Closed Loop…

Mobile-ordering exec: 'Third-party delivery doesn't have to be so pricey'

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

EZ-Chow, a new player in the mobile ordering and delivery scene, said its fees are much lower than other third-party platforms.

Moe's throwing queso shade at Chipotle - again

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

February 28, 2020

While McDonald's and Wendy's are engaged in a breakfast battle, Moe's Southwest Grill is throwing shade at Chipotle, which launched a new queso offering this…

Jimmy John's removes sprouts after FDA issues E coli warning

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

February 26, 2020

Jimmy John's has removed sprouts from all of its 2,800 locations after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration sent Jimmy John's CEO James North a warning…

RFIS 2020 Sponsor Preview: Decision Logic

by Cherryh Cansler — Editor, FastCasual.com

When experienced restaurant operators joined forces with expert technologists to form a comprehensive back-office platform, Decision Logic came to the industry.